Dianthus plant named &#39;dcape04-0&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dianthus  cultivar named ‘DCAPE04-0’ is disclosed, characterized by continuous flowering on floriferous plants hardy to USDA Zone 3. Flowers are semi-double and light to medium red-purple and purple. The new variety is a  Dianthus,  typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dianthus hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘DCAPE04-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery. The new variety originated as a spontaneous whole plant mutation discovered among a commercial planting of mixed Dianthus hybrida varieties. The parent is unknown. ‘DCAPE04-0’ was discovered by the inventor, Steve Jones, at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. during Summer of 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DCAPE04-0’ was first performed in Santa Paula, Calif. at a commercial greenhouse by vegetative cuttings in Summer of 2014. ‘DCAPE04-0’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DCAPE04-0’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DCAPE04-0’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DCAPE04-0’ as a new and distinct Dianthus cultivar:

-   -   1. Floriferous plants.     -   2. Suitability for both garden and container uses.     -   3. Pastel pink flower colored near Red-Purple 70C and Purple 75D         with a white base.     -   4. Continuous flowering from Spring through Fall. Repeat         flowering enhanced by removal of spent flowers.     -   5. Hardy to USDA zone 3     -   6. Semi-ouble flower with an average of 14 to 20 petals.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCAPE04-0’ are comparable to the unpatented, commercial Dianthus variety ‘Constant Beauty Light Pink’. The two Dianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DCAPE04-0’ produces a flower with a different red-purple color, mainly darker and having less purple tones. Flowers of the new variety also have a more consistent color within the same flower.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCAPE04-0’ can also be compared to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘DDTHP02-0’. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘DCAPE04-0’ produces a red-purple flower, compared to the purple flower of this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DCAPE04-0’ grown outdoors in Santa Paula, Calif. This plant is approximately 17 weeks old, shown in a 6 inch pot. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DCAPE04-0’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus hybrida ‘DCAPE04-0’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to initiate roots.—About 10 days at approximately 24°             C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 18 days at 24° C.         -   Root description.—Fibrous roots, approximately 1 to 3 mm in             diameter, colored near Orange-White 159C. -   Plant:     -   -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 17 weeks from rooted             cutting.         -   Pot size.—5 inch.         -   Plant type.—Compact upright perennial.         -   Plant habit.—Upright growing stems emerge basally.         -   Plant spread.—Approximately 23 cm.         -   Height.—Approximately 15 cm to top of flowering plane.             Approximately 12 cm to top of foliar plane.         -   Length plant stem.—Average range 8 to 11 cm.         -   Diameter of plant stem.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Quantity of stems.—Approximately 20.         -   Stem.—Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B Texture: Smooth. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite (in pairs) Quantity:             Approximately 18 to 22 fully expanded leaves per stem.             Average Length: Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 cm. Average Width:             Approximately 0.8 cm. Shape of blade: Linear Apex: Acute.             Base: Clasping Attachment: Sessile Margin: Entire Texture of             top surface: Smooth Texture of bottom surface: Smooth             Pubescence: None Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS             Green 137B Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A             Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A Mature             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137A Venation: Type:             Linear with a prominent mid vein Venation color upper side:             Indistinguishable from foliage. Venation color under side:             Indistinguishable from foliage. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Perpetual flowering.         -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Umbel of 2 to 4 flowers, or             single occurring flowers.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—2-3 weeks.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Approximately 30 to 35 flowers on a 17             week old plant.         -   Flowers persistent or self cleaning.—Persistent.         -   Fragrance.—Moderately noticeable sweet scent.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: Approximately 7.0 cm. Height:             Approximately 6.0 cm.         -   Individual flower size.—Diameter: Approximately 3.0 cm.             Length: Approximately 3.2 cm.         -   Petals, excluding tube.—Petal arrangement: Whorled, multiple             whorl. Shape: Spatulate, with an elongated narrow base and             orbicular distal section. Base: Attenuate Margin: Serrated             Apex: Sharply serrated or notched. Length: 2.8 cm Width: 1.8             cm Petal quantity: Average range 14 to 20 Texture: Smooth             all surfaces Aspect: Flat to slightly undulating.         -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 62B,             center streak near 62D Base near White N155A. Lower surface:             Near RHS Red-Purple 65C. Base near White N155A. Fully             opened: Upper surface: Between Red-Purple 70D. Base near             White N155A. Lower surface: Near RHS Purple 75D. Base near             White N155A.         -   Fading.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red 56C. Base near White             N155A. Lower surface: Near RHS Red 56C. Base near White             N155A.         -   Tube.—General description: Tube consists of the elongated,             unfused base of the petals. Tube shape caused by a fused             calyx. Length: 1.7 cm Width: 0.8 cm Texture: Smooth.         -   Color.—Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Green 137C             Outer surface: Near RHS Green 138A.         -   Bud.—Shape: Elongated cylinder Length: Average 1.8 cm             Diameter: Average 1.1 cm Color: Near RHS Green-White 157C.         -   Sepals.—Quantity: 5 Arrangement: Fused tube Shape:             Cynlindric Length: 1.8 cm Width: 0.4 cm Margin: Entire Apex:             Acute Texture: Smooth upper and lower surfaces. Color: Near             RHS Green 137C.         -   Bracteoles.—Shape: Deltate. Quantity per flower: 4 Length:             Approximately 0.7 cm Width: Approximately 0.4 cm Margin:             Smooth Texture: Smooth Color: Near RHS Green 137C.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Average 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm Color:             Near RHS Green 137C Orientation: Upright Strength: Flexible             Texture: Smooth.         -   Pedicel.—Length: Average 0.9 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm Color:             Near RHS Green 137C Orientation: Upright Strength: Flexible,             elastic. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: Most commonly 6 Filament length:             Approximately 1.2 cm.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Oblong Length: Approximately 0.2 cm Color:             Near RHS Yellow 4D Pollen: Not observed.         -   Pistil.—Number: 3 Length: Approximately 3.1 cm Style:             Length: Approximately 2.1 cm Color: Near RHS White N155B.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Linear, arching. Color: Near RHS White N155B             Ovary shape: Oblong Ovary diameter: 0.5 cm Ovary length: 0.8             cm Ovary color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 150D. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Not observed to date.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor             susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of Dianthus             has been observed. Typical diseases of Dianthus include:             Alternaria dianthicola, Botrytis cinerea, Erwinia             chrysanthemi, Pseudomonas caryophylli, Fusarium graminearum,             Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum and Rhizoctonia             solani, Typical pests include; various species of             Thysanopthera, various Aphis species, and various species of             Tetranychus.         -   Temperature tolerance.—USDA zones 3 through 10 tolerant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘DCAPE04-0’ as herein illustrated and described. 